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Mar Vista hearing canceled

Mar Vista Dockside Restaurant & Pub owner Ed Chiles rescinded an application this week that eliminated a controversial plan to restore the historic Rufus P. Jordan House, but sought to proceed with building a tree house and adding 11 seats to his restaurant.

The revised application was on the Longboat Key Planning and Zoning Board's 9 a.m. Tuesday, June 18 agenda.

Bradenton-based LTA Engineers sent a letter to Planning, Zoning and Building DIrector Robin Meyer dated June 11 that states: "On behaf of our client, we feel it is necessary at this point to seek wise legal counsel in order to appropiately address the issues that have been brought to the town by concerned residents. Therefore, please accept this letter as formal request for a continuance for the hearings scheduled for June 18."

Residents of the surrounding Longbeach Village, who complained about noise and parking problems when Chiles sought to add meeting space to the Jordan House, are still concerned about the revised plan.

Thirty-three residents signed a June 10 letter to the Longboat Key Town Commission, Planning and Zoning Board and town officials opposing the expansion.

The letter states:

“Please see first hand the existing congestion and impact in peak season. The village cannot tolerate the patrons the Mar Vista has at present – more is unreasonable."